Jongen bestuurt een poppenkoets op een geit 1914

Nelly Spoor made this print, "Boy Driving a Doll Carriage on a Goat", sometime in the early 20th century, and it looks like she used line etching with watercolor, letting the lines define the forms and the washes fill them in. I love how the red ink pops against the brown paper, giving the piece a cheerful, playful feel. The thin, scratchy lines that make up the landscape and figures are so charming and intimate. Look at the little doll in the girl’s arms – the way Spoor suggests its form with just a few simple strokes is just masterful. The way the goat is caught mid-stride gives a sense of movement and energy to the whole scene. Spoor's piece reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker’s work – the same interest in everyday life and a similar directness of expression. Both artists have this amazing ability to capture the essence of a scene with minimal fuss. Art's like a conversation, right? Each artist adding their voice to the mix, and this print is a lovely little contribution.